Qatar Airways has posted its strongest financial performance in the company’s history, with net profits reaching QAR7.85bn ($2.15bn) for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The results represent a year-on-year increase of more than 28 per cent, or QAR1.7bn ($0.5bn), and mark a milestone in the airline’s strategic transformation under its renewed ‘Qatar Airways 2.0’ strategy.

The group’s portfolio includes Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Cargo, catering services, and Qatar Duty Free. The strong results were attributed to strategic agility, talent development, and enhanced digital capabilities across the business.

Qatar Airways 2.0 strategy is a key enabler

“This record-breaking performance is a testament to the hard work, skill, and dedication of our global team of over 55,000 professionals,” said Engineer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways groupCEO. “Our Qatar Airways 2.0 strategy focuses on empowering talent, fostering innovation, and building strategic partnerships that help us navigate an ever-changing global landscape — be it political, economic, or environmental.”

Qatar Airways Cargo, already ranked as the world’s largest air cargo carrier, recorded a 17 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue.

The division posted its best financial results since the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by adaptive market strategies, investment in digitalisation, and enhanced operational reliability.

In numbers: Major milestones and strategic investments

Key highlights from the group’s financial year include:

• A 28 per cent year-on-year profit growth.
• Expansion of Hamad International Airport, now capable of handling 65 million passengers annually.
• Becoming the first global airline — and the first in the MENA region — to install Starlink super-fast WiFi on its Boeing 777 fleet.
• Acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia.
• Purchase of a 25 per cent interest in South Africa’s regional airline, Airlink.
• Deployment of ‘Sama’, the airline’s world-first conversational AI-powered digital cabin crew.
• Signing of various technical memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to diversify operations and align with Qatar National Vision 2030.

“We continue to offer and develop exceptional services—whether it’s our award-winning Qsuite, in-flight fine dining, or complimentary high-speed Starlink internet,” Al-Meer added.

Qatar Airways has also placed major aircraft and engine orders as part of its fleet expansion and modernisation strategy.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in the UAE has urged private sector companies with 50 or more employees to meet their Emiratisation targets for the first half of 2025.

Read- Emiratisation: MoHRE reminds private firms to comply with June 30 deadline

These companies are also expected to achieve a growth of at least 1 per cent in the number of UAE citizens employed in skilled jobs, relative to their total skilled workforce, by June 30.

Verification process to begin

According to a WAM report, beginning July 1, the ministry will start verifying companies’ compliance with the set targets and related requirements. These include registering employed Emirati nationals with a social security fund and consistently paying the required contributions.

Meeting these conditions enables companies to avoid financial penalties, which will be imposed on establishments that fail to comply.

“The impressive performance we have seen in the labour market, coupled with the UAE’s rapid economic growth, enhances private sector companies’ ability to meet their Emiratisation targets. This progress aligns with the well-established partnership between the Ministry and the Nafis programme, which supports achieving Emiratisation policies across the private sector,” said Farida Al Ali, MoHRE’s Assistant Under-Secretary of National Talents.

Private sector’s engagement with Emiratisation policies

Al Ali commended the private sector’s engagement with Emiratisation initiatives and its commitment to meeting targets, which has positively impacted this national priority. She revealed that over 136,000 UAE citizens were employed in the private sector across 28,000 companies by the end of April 2025. She expressed confidence in the sector’s continued progress, particularly with the support of the Nafis platform, which hosts a large pool of qualified Emirati candidates.

Incentives and benefits for companies

The ministry will continue to offer incentives and benefits to companies that demonstrate exceptional Emiratisation performance. These include membership in the Emiratisation Partners Club, which offers benefits such as up to 80 percent discounts on MoHRE service fees and priority status in the government procurement system—boosting business growth opportunities.

Digital field inspection system

To detect fraudulent practices, including ‘Fake Emiratisation’ schemes or attempts to circumvent targets, the ministry has implemented an advanced digital field inspection system. From mid-2022 to April 2025, the system flagged around 2,200 establishments in violation of Emiratisation policies, leading to legal action.

MoHRE offers multiple channels to report Emiratisation policy violations in the private sector, including a call centre at 600590000, as well as the ministry’s smart application and official website.

Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its role as a global convener for ethical innovation and technology policy this month, as the Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025) concluded on 6 May. The two-day summit brought together more than 1,000 participants from over 20 countries to shape global frameworks for the responsible governance of rapidly advancing technologies.

Organised by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in strategic partnership with the UAE Public Prosecution, GETS 2025 convened ministers, prosecutors, technologists, legal experts and business leaders for high-level dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and Web3.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, said the UAE’s early focus on AI was a strategic imperative. “Guided by visionary leadership, the UAE recognised early on the importance of artificial intelligence and the need to shape its future through bold action and responsible governance,” he said. “We mobilised national capabilities, enacted forward-looking regulatory frameworks, and launched pioneering initiatives to stay ahead of rapid transformations.”

Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, highlighted how the UAE’s education system was adapting to future demands. “Integrating AI concepts and tools into academic curriculum represents a strategic investment in building more resilient societies prepared for the demands of the future,” she said.

Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet, added: “Embedding responsible technology governance into national policy is not a short-term ambition. It is part of a broader commitment to shaping agile institutions, forward-looking legislation, and resilient societies capable of navigating the complexities of the digital age.”

The summit featured focused sessions on the real-world implications of emerging technologies. Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), along with NMC Healthcare and the Al Dhafra Youth Council, explored the deployment of AI in healthcare and the regulatory frameworks needed to ensure safe, effective outcomes.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), co-founder of Binance and Giggle Academy, spoke on the regulatory evolution needed for a decentralised Web3 future. Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, emphasised the dual need for innovation and resilience in an era of quantum and AI disruption.

Sessions also addressed industrial transformation, creative rights in the age of generative AI, and the role of governance in education. A panel featuring Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lameen Abdul-Malik and representatives from Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Abundance Studio urged the integration of governance principles into early education systems.

In the summit’s final session, Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, and Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, presented a strategic roadmap to enhance institutional readiness, ethical innovation, and global coordination in tech governance.

GETS 2025 opened on 5 May under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court. Among the dignitaries were the attorneys general of Qatar and Egypt, and the deputy attorney general of Oman.

In his keynote, Chancellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney General, declared: “Innovation without ethics is incomplete, and the future of emerging technologies must be guided not only by advancement, but by a higher purpose—serving humanity and society.”

The UAE Public Prosecution used the summit to unveil its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, aiming to transform the country’s justice system through predictive tools, smart governance, and cutting-edge digital infrastructure.

GETS 2025 concluded with a Gala Dinner hosted by the UAE Public Prosecution, bringing together global thought leaders in a shared call for inclusive, secure, and human-centric innovation.

As the event wrapped, it left no doubt: the UAE is not only adopting emerging technologies—it is helping write the rulebook for how the world should govern them.

Read:Harnessing AI: Why asking the right questions is key to success

VFS Global, a leader in trusted technology services empowering secure global mobility for governments and citizens, has announced the launch of its flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai’s Wafi City, marking the opening of the largest visa application facility in the world.

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Spanning nearly 150,000 square feet, the centre is equipped to handle up to 10,000 visa applications daily—a capacity unmatched by any other single location—and is supported by a skilled, diverse team of over 400 trained professionals representing more than 25 nationalities, a WAM report said.

Visa centre inauguration

The centre was inaugurated by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai; and Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VFS Global Group.

“This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority,” said Helal Saeed Almarri.

Visa facilitation and innovation

“Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world’s most connected and future-ready city.”

Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri added, “Today, we witnessed the inauguration of a new milestone in the journey of excellence pursued by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the world’s largest Visa Application Centre, located in the heart of Dubai—a city that continuously redefines innovation.

“This achievement truly reflects the directives of our wise leadership to strengthen the nation’s position as a global hub for smart services and to establish a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality.”

Zubin Karkaria commented, “Operating in the UAE since 2004, our journey has been defined by unwavering commitment and a deep-rooted connection with this dynamic nation and its visionary leadership. Over the past two decades, we have witnessed the UAE’s spectacular growth into a global hub for business, thought leadership, technology development, and innovation. In line with Dubai’s rapid development, we are proud to launch the world’s largest Visa Application Centre, serving over 200 nationalities.”

Trial flights of Archer Aviation’s first fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, are set to begin before the end of 2025, Dr Talib Alhinai, General Manager of Archer Aviation, said.

Read-UAE begins mapping air corridors for air taxis, cargo drones

Speaking on the sidelines of the “Make it in the Emirates” forum, Alhinai said the aircraft marks a major step toward the country’s urban air mobility goals, with operations expected to begin in Abu Dhabi ahead of a full commercial rollout, a WAM report said.

Archer recently opened a manufacturing facility in Georgia, USA, with an initial annual production capacity of 650 aircraft and plans to scale up to 2,400.

Aircraft ‘Midnight’: How does this air taxi function?

Designed for sustainable urban transport, Midnight can carry four passengers and a pilot, operates entirely on electric power, and takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter.

However, its design and operational profile are optimised for efficient short-distance flights.

Alhinai said initial test flights will take place in unpopulated areas, gradually expanding into urban zones as part of a phased deployment approach. A formal date for the start of commercial service has not been set.

The exact date for commercial operations will be announced in due course, pending the completion of all necessary technical and operational requirements.

Regarding its technical features, Alhinai explained that Midnight is equipped with a fixed wing and 12 electric motors—six at the front and six at the rear. The front motors can rotate between 0 and 90 degrees, allowing for a seamless transition from vertical ascent to horizontal flight in just 45 seconds.

Potential manufacturing in the UAE

On local production, Alhinai said the company has signed a framework agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to establish a research center and explore manufacturing opportunities in the UAE. Further details will be announced soon.